Thursday, August 23, 2012

An open letter to a thief.

Dear You-Know-Who-You-Are,

This site and my work
is mostly pretty damned happy, airy fairy, hugs, kisses, candyfloss and
butterfly wings, but I take my work very seriously.

As you know, I have a number of tutorials on 'how to' make several of the items I offer. I do this because I love to make stuff and to encourage others to do the same. I think that creating is just about the greatest thing in the whole wide world. It lifts the soul, engages the mind and is the best therapy around.

Now, while I don't want people to follow my tutorials, make exact replicas and then sell them... I sort of expect it's going to happen. I'd be thrilled if my work inspired you to make your own 'what-cha-ma-jig' or 'doo-hickey' and you made a bazillion dollars selling it. But just plain old copying my work to sell? I'm not so happy you chose to do that.

BUT EVEN THEN I can get over it because I know how much work goes into making that stuff and that eventually you'll get bored. Perhaps you'll realize that you're making less than minimum wage, that sales are slow or that you might even lose money making those silly things. I mean, if you're too lazy to come up with your own ideas the hard work and long hours might put you off.

What DOES bother me is thievery on a magnificent scale. Copying my work, my photography style, my wording, my philosophy and wrapping it all up and calling it your own and labeling it as 'unique'. Not cool. Not going to lie, I'm pretty angry right now. I'm sure the other artists you've stolen from aren't impressed either.

Here's what I propose, I think you'll find it VERY reasonable: Remove all of your listings that clearly violate the intellectual property of others, rewrite your "About me" page so that it's actually about you, then buy a journal and write in it every single day to develop your own ideas. Never ever swipe other peoples work again and we'll call it a day. Consider it a lesson learned in etiquette.

Not keen on doing that? No worries! In three days I'll be submitting the appropriate documents to etsy pointing out that you have violated not only their terms of services but also international copyright and intellectual property laws. As an added bonus I'll fire up the cauldron and pull out my trusty wand. Trust me. I'll do it. Really, it's just better all around if you don't steal my stuff.

I look forward to your decision!
Nichola

P.S. I hate to tell you, but I'm not exactly rolling in dough. It's not money
that keeps me motivated... it's passion, and you can't copy that.

I hope the little girl from Texas doesn't think that it's folly to mock a practioners threat. I hear the toads in Texas are warty.Very direct and politely stated post. Folks without a moral compass can get lost in the maze of being a good human being and it seems her mama didn't do a good job of teaching her that "Nice" matters and when you copy someone's work......uh, ya don't always get away with it, Scot free.....whichever Scot that is. Oma Linda

Apparently it's time for a karmic ass-kicking... Lace them boots up tight! Unless of course the thief comes to their senses & pulls their own head out of said ass first... but just going with my gut, I'd lace up the boots & pull out the wand...

OH No! that is totally uncool, your letter is wonderfuly said, and I hate that it is something everyone has to worry about. I love your work, and I do "duplicate" it but I don't sell it and I don't ever intend to.

I am in the process right now of making a "How to make it yours" tutorial, all about not exactly copying what has been done.

Let me know if I need to get my wand out, it is a bit rusty but that could be for the better...just imagine what kind of spell I could put on a theif with a rusty wand :)

Hi Nichola, OMG I am so sorry that this has happened to you. I love coming to your Blog. I even visit before I get an email update. Your Blog is so relaxing, refreshing and heart warming. I simply can't say enough about it. I truly wish I lived closer to you so that I could come and visit and learn from you and share the happiness you create in your surroundings. Don't take what she did lightly as he/she may remove everything and open under another name.

uhg, i hate reading about when stuff like this happens - and when you have always been so over-the-top generous with your tutorials & techniques. you worded your letter so well.but i say pull out the wand and have at it.